# How to Use i-have-adhd with Hermes Agent: Complete Integration Guide

> Learn how to use i-have-adhd with Hermes agent. Follow this complete integration guide to install and activate the skill for seamless voice control. Get started today!

- Repository: [Ayoub Ghriss/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-08-02

---

**To use i-have-adhd with Hermes agent, install the skill with `hermes skills install ayghri/i-have-adhd/skills/i-have-adhd`, then activate it with the `/i-have-adhd` slash command or configure it as always-on in your [`SOUL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SOUL.md) file.**

The **i-have-adhd** repository provides a specialized skill that optimizes AI output for readers with ADHD. When integrated with the **Hermes** agent platform, this skill enforces structured, actionable formatting rules that make complex information easier to process and act upon.

## What the i-have-adhd Skill Does

The skill is a self-contained directory under `skills/i-have-adhd/` that Hermes loads as a pluggable module. At its core is [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md), which defines five output-formatting rules:

1. **Lead with the answer** — command, path, or code snippet first
2. **Number multi-step work** — one bounded action per step
3. **End with a sub-two-minute next action**
4. **Finish current issues before raising new ones**
5. **Restate progress each turn** ("step 3 of 5 done")

These rules persist for the entire session once activated, transforming every response the agent produces.

## Installing the i-have-adhd Skill for Hermes

Hermes supports two installation methods: direct from repository or via a tap (remote registry).

### Method 1: Direct Installation

```bash
hermes skills install ayghri/i-have-adhd/skills/i-have-adhd

```

### Method 2: Tap-Based Installation (Browse First)

```bash

# Register the repository as a tap

hermes skills tap add ayghri/i-have-adhd

# Optional: search available skills

hermes skills search adhd

# Install from the tap

hermes skills install ayghri/i-have-adhd/skills/i-have-adhd

```

### Verify Installation

```bash
hermes skills list

```

## Managing the Skill

After installation, use these commands to maintain the skill:

**Update to latest version:**

```bash
hermes skills update i-have-adhd

```

**Uninstall completely:**

```bash
hermes skills uninstall i-have-adhd
hermes skills tap remove ayghri/i-have-adhd  # optional

```

## Activating i-have-adhd: Two Modes

### Per-Session Activation (On-Demand)

Type the slash command in any Hermes session:

```

/i-have-adhd

```

The skill remains active until you type `stop adhd mode` or end the session.

### Always-On Activation (Persistent)

Add the output style rules to either:

- **[`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md)** in your working directory (project-specific)
- **[`SOUL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SOUL.md)** in your Hermes configuration (global, applies to every session)

```markdown

## Output style

The reader has ADHD. Shape every response so it can be acted on:

1. Lead with the answer or next action: command, path, or snippet first.
2. Number multi-step work; one bounded action per step.
3. End with one next action doable in under two minutes.
4. Finish the current issue before raising a new one.
5. Restate progress each turn ("step 3 of 5 done").

```

Start a new Hermes session after saving either file. The skill activates automatically without requiring the `/i-have-adhd` command.

## Key Source Files in the Repository

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) | Core skill definition and rule set |
| [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md) | Detailed Hermes installation instructions (line 172+) |
| [`skills/i-have-adhd/agents/openai.yaml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/agents/openai.yaml) | OpenAI-specific configuration example |
| [`skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml) | Gemini-specific configuration example |

The [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) file serves as the authoritative source for behavior—Hermes parses this descriptor to understand how to transform output. The `agents/` subdirectory contains optional provider-specific configurations, though Hermes primarily relies on the standardized [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) format.

## Summary

- **Install** with `hermes skills install ayghri/i-have-adhd/skills/i-have-adhd`
- **Activate** per-session with `/i-have-adhd` or permanently via [`SOUL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SOUL.md)/[`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md)
- **Rules** are defined in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) and enforce ADHD-friendly formatting
- **Persistence** continues until session end or explicit deactivation ("stop adhd mode")
- **Update** with `hermes skills update i-have-adhd` when the repository changes

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How do I know if the i-have-adhd skill is active in Hermes?

Type `hermes skills list` and verify `i-have-adhd` appears in the output. When active during a session, responses will follow the five formatting rules: numbered steps, leading answers, sub-two-minute next actions, single-issue focus, and progress restatement.

### Can I use i-have-adhd with other AI agents besides Hermes?

Yes, the repository includes agent-specific configurations. The [`skills/i-have-adhd/agents/openai.yaml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/agents/openai.yaml) and [`skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml) files provide examples for OpenAI and Gemini integration, though implementation details vary by platform.

### What's the difference between SOUL.md and AGENTS.md for always-on mode?

[`SOUL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SOUL.md) lives in your global Hermes configuration and applies to every session you start. [`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md) resides in a specific project directory and only activates when working in that folder. Use [`SOUL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SOUL.md) for personal defaults, [`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/AGENTS.md) for team or project-specific standards.

### Does the skill modify Hermes system prompts or just output formatting?

The skill operates at the output layer according to [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md). It transforms how responses are structured and presented rather than altering the underlying system prompts or reasoning capabilities of the Hermes agent.